Terminal applicator and method

ABSTRACT

An applicator for mounting individual eyelet type terminals on a circuit board where the terminal is severed from a carrier strip by a ram which moves the terminal through a transport bore until the terminal flange is clamped between the ram and lip at the end of the bore with the body portion of the terminal exposed out of the bore. Following positioning of a circuit board so that the body of the terminal is fitted in a circuit board hole, an anvil is extended to flare the free end of the terminal and secure it to the circuit board. The ram is withdrawn, another terminal is indexed over the bore, and the ram is again extended into the bore to eject the mounted terminal from the bore and to position the second terminal for mounting on a circuit board.

United States Patent 203 (DTS), 203 (DT), 625, 630, 626, 630 (D), 243.52, 243.53, 34

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] lnventor Timothy F. Collins 3,307,244 3/ 1967? De Shong 29/203X York, Pa. 3,456,483 7/1969 Crothers et a]. 29/630X [21] Appl. No. 766,872 3,497,939 3/1970 De Saint-Pierre et al..... 29/203 [22] Filed Oct. 11, 1968 v 4s Patented Mar. 23, 1971 iggf [73] Assignee Berg Electronics, Inc. 1 New Cumberland, Pa. l

' l [5 AL All for mounting eyelet 12 Claims 7 Drawing Figs I type terminals on a circuit board where the terminal is severed I from a carrier strip by a ram which moves the terminal Cl 29/625, through a transport bore until the terminal flange is clamped 29/203 between the ram and lip at the end of the bore with the body Int. "A. portion of the terminal exposed out of the bore Following psitioning of a ircuit board so that the of the tennina] is fitted in a circuit board hole, an anvil is extended to flare the free end of the terminal and secure it to the circuit board. The ram is withdrawn, another terminal is indexed over the bore, and the ram is again extended into the bore to eject the mounted terminal from the bore and to position the second terminal for mounting on a circuit board.

TERMINAL APPLICATOR AND METHOD The invention relates to an improved terminal applicator and method for individually applying small delicate eyelet type terminals to circuit boards. he applicator is particularly useful in applying terminals of thetype disclosed in Billy E. Olsson U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,328, entitled Circuit Board Eyelet,

although it may be used to apply other. terminals. The Olsson occur during severing from the carrier strip, movement of the terminal from the carrier strip to the staking position, and staking itself. r I I The presently disclosed terminal applicator automatically and reliably stakes individual terminals of the type mentioned to circuit boards without deforming them. The carrier strip is indexed to position a terminal above an axially aligned transport bore with the flange end of the terminal located away from the bore. A ram is located at the flange end of the termine] and includes a head adapted to fit within the flange so that upon extension of the ram toward the terminal the head engages the terminal and severs the terminal from the carrier strip. Continued extension of the ram moves the terminal through the bore until the cylindrical body extends outwardly of the other end of the bore and the flange is clamped between the ram and a circumferential lip formed at the end of the bore. In this way the terminal is rigidly held to permit positioning of a circuit board so that the end of the terminal body extends through a circuit board hole. An anvil is then extended to stake the end of the body and secure the terminal to the circuit board. During the next cycle of operation of the terminal applicator extend extension of the ram will move another terminal into engagement with the terminal previously staked to the circuit board to eject that terminal from the transport bore.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent asthe description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying three sheets of drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:

FIG. lis a side view of a terminal applicator according to the invention;

- FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. I;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a strip of terminals used by the terminal applicator;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the pneumatic circuitry of the terminal applicator; and

FIG. 6 and 7 are sectional views illustrating staking of a terminal to a circuit board by the applicator.

Terminal applicator 10 includes an upstanding base plate 12 which is suitably mounted on a support (not shown). Circuit board cutout 14 is provided at one edge of the plate 12 to per-' mit presentation of circuit board 16 to the applicator for attachment of terminals 18 thereto;

As illustrated in FIG. 4, terminals 18 are formed from sheet metal stock and include a cylindrical body 20 which has an outwardly flared conical flange 22 formed at one end thereof. The other end 24 of body 20 is bent inwardly to facilitate positioning of the terminal in a circuit board hole. The terminals 18 are spaced along carrier strip 26 and secured thereto at edge of the cutout. Carrier strip 26 is held in track 32 by track cover 34 which extends over part of the track. A drag 36 is pivotally mounted on bar 30 by pin 38 and is biased to engage the upper part of carrier strip by spring 40. Both drag 36 and cover 34 provide clearance to permit the strip 26 to be indexed along track 32 without disturbing the terminals 18 carried thereby.

A terminal feed is provided to index the carrier strip along bar 30 so that with each cycle of the feed a lead terminal is located in a work position. The feed includes an air cylinder 42 which is pivotally mounted on plate 12 by trunnions 44. Piston rod 46 extends through cylinder 42 and is provided with a cam 48 at one end thereof. The other end of rod 46 is pivotally connected tofone end of feed arm 50. The other end of the arm 50 is pivotally mounted on her 30 at 52. A feed finger 54 is pivotally mounted on arm50 between pivot point 52 and the connection with rod 46. The finger 54 includes a tine 56 which engages spaced pilot holes 58 formed in carrier strip 26. Spring 60 biases finger 54 toward the carrier strip so that tine 56 engages the strip.

The movement of feed arm 50 is controlled by adjusting the stroke and length of piston rod 46 so that upon extension of the rod the feed finger 54 is moved to index the carrier strip in a direction toward the work position a distance sufficient to position a new lead terminal in the work position. When the cylinder 42 is retracted, the tine 56 is retracted to engage the next upstream pilot hole 58 and cam 48 engages the follower 62 of control valve 64.'The carrier strip26 extends into scrap tube 66 and is led away from the applicator.

Air cylinder 68 is mounted on plate 12 at 70 above the cutout l4 and includes piston rod 72which extends to each end of the cylinder. Ram or cutter 74 is mounted on the lower end of rod 72 and extends through bore 76 in cover 34. Stop nuts 78 are provided at the upper end of, rod 72 to limit the downward movement of the rod and ram. The ram 74 is coaxial with the lead terminal on carrier strip 26 when it is located in the work position. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lower end of the ram is provided with a conical head 80 adapted to fit within conical flange 22. The diameter of ram 74 is slightly greater than the maximum diameter of flange 22. The ram is provided with a sharp cutting edge 82 which extends around the circumference adjacent the base of head 80.

Bushing 84 is mounted in a holder 86 located below bar 30 so that the bushing is coaxial with the ram. The interior transport bore 88 of the bushing has a diameter slightly greater than the maximum diameter of terminal flange 22 and is provided with a circumferential lip 90 at the lower end thereof having a diameter slightly less than the maximum diameter of flange 22. Ram 74 has a close sliding fit within bore 88. The upper surface 92 of the lip 90 is conical and adapted to engage the outer surface of terminal flange 22.

The bushing 84 is provided with an enlarged head-94 in which is formed a transverse terminal feed slot 96. Slot 96 is aligned to permit feed finger 54 to position the lead terminal on strip 26 in slot 96" in a work position coaxial with bore 88 and ram 74. Head 94 is provided with a cutting edge 98 which cooperates with cutting edge 82 on the ram 74 to sever the lead terminal strip 26 upon extension of the ram into the bushing. As the ram is extended thefreed terminal is carried through transport bore 88 toward lip 90. When the ram is fully extended, the terminalis positioned as shown in FIG. 6 with flange 22 clamped between lip surface 92 and ram head 80. The terminal body portion 20 extends into cutout 14 so that it may be fitted within a hole 100 in circuit board 16.

A clamp and anvil assembly 102 islocated on plate 12 below bushing 84 and is coaxial therewith. The assembly includes an anvil 104 which is mounted in the upper end of piston rod 106 of air cylinder 108. The anvil is provided with an enlarged head 110 having a conical staking surface 112 adapted to defonn the lower end of the lead terminal so as to secure it to the circuit board when the anvil is extended. A clamp ring I14 is fitted on anvil I04 and is normally held against head 110 by spring 116 which is confined between the ring and the end of piston rod 106. A cylindrical spacer 118 is also fitted between the ring 114 and piston rod 106 to limit movement of the clamping ring relative to the anvil during staking.

The pneumatic circuit of the terminal applicator is shown in FIG. 5. Pressure fluid is supplied to the terminal applicator through pressure line 120 to foot-actuated control valve 122, pilot-actuated control valve 124, and control valve 64. Pressure line 126 connects valve 122 to pilot air cylinder 128 so that when the foot valve 122 is actuated by depressing a plunger, pressure fluid is supplied to cylinder 128 a so as to extend the cylinder and shift value 124.

In the normal position of valve 122, line 126 is vented and valve 124 is held in a position as shown by a return spring 130 so that pressure fluid is supplied through line 132 to extend cylinder 42 and retract cylinder 108. Pressure line 134 is vented through valve 124.

With cylinder 42 normally extended, cam 48 is free of follower 62 of valve 64 so that spring 136 maintains the valve as positioned in FIG. 5 to supply pressure fluid to cylinder 68 through line 138 to extend the same. Line 140 is vented through valve 64.

The cycle of operation of the terminal applicator will now be described. At the beginning of the cycle the ram cylinder 68 is extended and the ram clamps a terminal against lip 90 in the bushing 84. The terminal is held rigidly with the body portion projecting into cutout 14 so that the operator can pilot the circuit board having hole 100 formed therein so that the top of board is positioned against the flat bottom surface of the bushing 84 with the body of the terminal fitted in the circuit board hole. The reduced lower end of the terminal facilitates positioning of the circuit board around the terminal. With the board in this position, the upper surface thereof is seated against the circuit board flange 22 at the juncture between the flange and the body of the terminal. The lower end of the terminal projects outwardly of the bottom of the circuit board.

After the circuit board has been positioned to fit the lead terminal in hole 100, the operator trips foot switch 122 to supply pressure to pilot cylinder 128 and shift control valve 124 against spring 130. Shifting of valve 124 supplies fluid pressure through line 134 to extend staking air cylinder 108 and at the same time retract feed air cylinder 42. During extension and retraction of cylinders 108 and 42 respectively lead 132 is vented through valve 124.

Extension of staking cylinder 108 raises the clamp and anvil assembly 102 so that the upper surface of clamp 114 engages the bottom of the circuit board outwardly of hole 100 as illustrated in FIG. 6. The clamp holds the circuit board against the bushing to assure that the terminal is snugly seated in hole 100 during staking. Continued extension of cylinder 108 collapses spring 116 and moves anvil 104 into engagement with the protruding portion 24 of the terminal so that upon full extension of cylinder 108 the portion 24 is bent outwardly of hole 100 to form a generally conical flange 142 which cooperates with flange 22 to secure the terminal to the circuit board. When the anvil is fully extended and the terminal is staked to the circuit board, spacer 118 engages clamp ring 114 to assure that the anvil does not extend into hole 100 and deform the terminal.

Retraction of feed cylinder 42 moves feed finger or tine 56 upstream relative to the carrier strip 26 a distance suflicient to position the tine in the next upstream pilot hole 58 and also brings cam 48 into engagement with follower 62 to shift valve 64 against spring 136. When valve 64 is shifted, pressure fluid is supplied through line 140 to ram cylinder 68 so as to retract the same and withdraw ram 74 to a position where head 80 is located above bushing head 94. The operator then releases foot valve 122 so that spring 144 shifts the valve back to its original position and vents line 126 to permit spring 130 to shift valve 124 back to its original position. With valve 124 shifted, staking cylinder 108 is retracted to lower the clamp and anvil unit 102 to the position shown in FIG. 3 and to extend the feed cylinder 42 so that the lead terminal on carrier strip 26 is positioned in bushing feed slot 96 coaxial with the bushing transport bore 88.

Extension of feed cylinder 42 releases follower 62 so that spring 136 shifts valve 64 and pressure fluid is supplied through line 138 to extend ram cylinder 68. Extending Extension of cylinder 68 lowers ram 74 so that head engages flange 22 of the lead terminal. Continued lowering of the ram severs the terminal from the carrier strip and moves the terminal down through transport bore 88 toward the terminal which is staked to circuit board 16. As the ram 74 approaches its lowest extension, the terminal carried thereby engages the terminal staked to the circuit board and forces or snaps the same past lip out of the bushing 84 to free the circuit board. When the ram bottoms, the terminal carried thereby is firmly clamped in position to permit to it to be fitted in a circuit board hole and staked thereto during the next cycle of operation of the machine.

The terminal previously staked to the circuit board is ejected from bushing 84 when the next terminal to be staked is lowered by ram 74 by a slight inward bending of flange 22. Due to the small size of the terminals and because lip 90 projects inwardly from bore 88 a distance somewhat less than 0.01 inch, it is easy to eject the staked terminal from the bushing by elastically deforming the terminal. This feature permits ready ejecting of terminals from the bushing so that in the case terminals are deformed or jam, the machine is self-clearing. While it is easy to eject terminals from the applicator when the ram is not extended, the lead terminal is securely clamped in the applicator between head 80 and lip 90 to prevent accidental displacement of the terminal while it it presented in position for positioning in a circuit board hole.

While apparatus 10 disclosed herein utilizes a bushing 84 having an interior terminal restraining lip 90 which extends 360 around bore 88. it is obvious that the lip need not be continuous. Thus the term lip as used herein is intended to include a suitable support at the end of the transport bore 88 which would cooperate with the ram to clamp the terminal in position for mounting a circuit board around the exposed portion of the terminal.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is understood that this is capable of modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

lclaim:

1. Apparatus for applying an eyelet type terminal having a body portion portion and an outwardly flared head to a circuit board comprising a member having a bore extending therethrough with a cross section-slightly greater than the outside dimension of the terminal head and a lip at one end of said bore having a cross section slightly less than the outside dimension of the terminal head, feed means for positioning a terminal adjacent the other end of said bore in axial alignment with said bore with the flared head away from said bore, a ram extendable into said bore from said other end for engaging the terminal, moving the terminal through the bore, and clamping the tenninal head against said lip with the body portion thereof presented out of the bore for positioning within a circuit board hole, and a staking anvil axially aligned with said bore adjacent said one end thereof and movable theretoward to stake the terminal to a circuit board.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said lip includes a generally conical surface facing said other end of the bore and said ram is provided with a conical head a portion adapted to fit within the flared head of the terminal to clamp the same against said lip surface so that the terminal is rigidly held during presentation for positioning in a circuit board hole.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said ram and bore are cylindrical and said ram has a snug sliding fit within said bore and includes a cutting surface adjacent said head portion cooperable with a cutting surface on said member adjacent v -5. Apparatus as said other end of said bore to sever the terminal from a terminal support when said ram is extended into said hole.

4. Apparatusfor applying a terminal to a circuit board comminal through said passage, and clamp the terminal against said lip with a portionof the terminal extending from said passage whereby a circuit board maybe located to position such terminal portion in a circuit-board hole, anvil means adjacent'said one end of said passageand movable toward said terminal portion to deform thesarne and secure the terminal to the circuit board, said lip releasably confining said terminal in said passage'whereby'movement ofsaidram to clamp a second terminal against said lip, ejects, said first terminal from said passage. g v

in claim 4 wherein said passage has a cross. section similar to. and slightly larger than the cross section of said terminals, said ram has a, close sliding fit within said passage, and said lip projects into said passage a distance sufficient to engage said terminal .as it is moved through said passage by said ram. I Y

6. Apparatus as in claim 5 whereinsaid passage and ram are I 1 confining lip in the passage with the body of the terminal projecting from said passage, piloting a circuit board having a circuit board hole therein relative to said portion to position said circuit board hole around said portion, deforming said portion .to mount said terminal on said circuit board in the circuit board hole, withdrawing said ram-positioning a second terminal between said ram and passage, and extending said ram to move said second terminal into said passage and into encylindrical, each terminal includesa cylindrical body portion and an outwardly extending radial head, and said lip includes at least two contact points spaced apart sufficiently on the cir-, eumference of said passage to cooperate with said ram to clamp said head within said passage. v

7, Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said lip extends continuously around the circumference of said passage.

8. Apparatus as in claim 6-swherein said terminal head comprises a conical flange, said. ram, includes aconical head por gagement with said first terminal toeject said first terminal from said passage and to clamp said'second terminal against said lip in position for subsequent mounting on a circuit board.

10. A method of mounting an eyelet type terminal having a flange formed at one end thereof to a circuit board comprising the steps of moving a terminal along a feed path in a terminal applicator to a work position, rigidly confining the terminal in the workv position by holding its flanged portion against the applicator with the body portion thereof exposed to serve as a pilot, positioning a circuit board having a hole therein relative to theexposed body portion so that the body portion is fitted within the circuit board hole, deforming the body portion to secure the terminal to the circuit board and ejecting the secured terminal from the applicatoriby feeding a second terminal along said feed path to said work position.

11. The method of applying an eyelet'type terminal having a flange formed at one end thereof to a circuit board comprising the steps of indexing the lead terminal of a chain of eyelet type terminals to a position between a ram and one end of a transport assage, extending the ram toward the lead terminal and into he passage to engage the terminal, sever the terminal from the chain of terminals, transport the terminal through the passage to a position at the otherend thereof where a portion of the terminal projects from the passage and clamp the terminal flange between the end of the ram and a lip at the other end of the-passage to hold the terminal in such position, pilottion adapted tofit within said flangeand engage one surface thereof, and said lip includes aeonical contactsurface adapted to engage the othersurface of said flange.

9. A method of mounting a -terminal to a circuit board where the terminal is of the type havinga body portion with a flange adjacent one endthereofl'comprising the steps'of positioning a'first terminal-adjacent= a-transport passage with the flange away from the passage, extending a ram aligned with said passage to engage said onegend of the terminal and move the terminal through the passage to clamp said flange against a ing a circuit board having a circuit board hole therein relative to said exposed terminal portion to position the circuit board hole around said portion, deforming saidportion to secure the terminal to the circuit boardin the circuit board hole, withdrawing the ram release'theterrninal from between the end of the ram and e lip, and moving the terminal past the lip and out of the passage.

12. The method-of claim 11 including the step of moving the terminal past the lip and out of .the passage by forcing the terminal and circuit board away from the other end of the passage to move the terminal flange over the lip. 

1. Apparatus for applying an eyelet type terminal having a body portion portion and an outwardly flared head to a circuit board comprising a member having a bore extending therethrough with a cross section slightly greater than the outside dimension of the terminal head and a lip at one end of said bore having a cross section slightly less than the outside dimension of the terminal head, feed means for positioning a terminal adjacent the other end of said bore in axial alignment with said bore with the flared head away from said bore, a ram extendable into said bore from said other end for engaging the terminal, moving the terminal through the bore, and clamping the terminal head against said lip with the body portion thereof presented out of the bore for positioning within a circuit board hole, and a staking anvil axially aligned with said bore adjacent said one end thereof and movable theretoward to stake the terminal to a circuit board.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said lip includes a generally conical surface facing said other end of the bore and said ram is provided with a conical head a portion adapted to fit within the flared head of the terminal to clamp the same against said lip surface so that the terminal is rigidly held during presentation for positioning in a circuit board hole.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said ram and bore are cylindrical and said ram has a snug sliding fit within said bore and includes a cutting surface adjacent said head portion cooperable with a cutting surface on said member adjacent said other end of said bore to sever the terminal from a terminal support when said ram is extended into said bore.
 4. Apparatus for applying a terminal to a circuit board comprising a member having a transport passage extending therethrough with a terminal confining lip at one end thereof, a ram extendable into said passage from the other end thereof, means for positioning a first terminal between said ram and said passage when said ram is retracted, said ram being operable upon extension to engage the first terminal, move the terminal through said passage, and clamp the terminal against said lip with a portion of the terminal extending from said passage whereby a circuit board may be located to position such terminal portion in a circuit board hole, anvil means adjacent said one end of said passage and movable toward said terminal portion to deform the same and secure the terminal to the circuit board, said lip releasably confining said terminal in said passage whereby movement of said ram to clamp a second terminal against said lip ejects said first terminal from said passage.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said passage has a cross section similar to and slightly larger than the cross section of said terminals, said ram has a close sliding fit within said passage, and said lip projects into said passage a distance sufficient to engage said terminal as it is moved through said passage by said ram.
 6. Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said passage and ram are cylindrical, each terminal includes a cylindrical body portion and an outwardly extending radial head, and said lip includes at least two contact points spaced apart sufficiently on the circumference of said passage to coopErate with said ram to clamp said head within said passage.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said lip extends continuously around the circumference of said passage.
 8. Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said terminal head comprises a conical flange, said ram includes a conical head portion adapted to fit within said flange and engage one surface thereof, and said lip includes a conical contact surface adapted to engage the other surface of said flange.
 9. A method of mounting a terminal to a circuit board where the terminal is of the type having a body portion with a flange adjacent one end thereof, comprising the steps of positioning a first terminal adjacent a transport passage with the flange away from the passage, extending a ram aligned with said passage to engage said one end of the terminal and move the terminal through the passage to clamp said flange against a confining lip in the passage with the body of the terminal projecting from said passage, piloting a circuit board having a circuit board hole therein relative to said portion to position said circuit board hole around said portion, deforming said portion to mount said terminal on said circuit board in the circuit board hole, withdrawing said ram, positioning a second terminal between said ram and passage, and extending said ram to move said second terminal into said passage and into engagement with said first terminal to eject said first terminal from said passage and to clamp said second terminal against said lip in position for subsequent mounting on a circuit board.
 10. A method of mounting an eyelet type terminal having a flange formed at one end thereof to a circuit board comprising the steps of moving a terminal along a feed path in a terminal applicator to a work position, rigidly confining the terminal in the work position by holding its flanged portion against the applicator with the body portion thereof exposed to serve as a pilot, positioning a circuit board having a hole therein relative to the exposed body portion so that the body portion is fitted within the circuit board hole, deforming the body portion to secure the terminal to the circuit board and ejecting the secured terminal from the applicator by feeding a second terminal along said feed path to said work position.
 11. The method of applying an eyelet type terminal having a flange formed at one end thereof to a circuit board comprising the steps of indexing the lead terminal of a chain of eyelet type terminals to a position between a ram and one end of a transport passage, extending the ram toward the lead terminal and into the passage to engage the terminal, sever the terminal from the chain of terminals, transport the terminal through the passage to a position at the other end thereof where a portion of the terminal projects from the passage and clamp the terminal flange between the end of the ram and a lip at the other end of the passage to hold the terminal in such position, piloting a circuit board having a circuit board hole therein relative to said exposed terminal portion to position the circuit board hole around said portion, deforming said portion to secure the terminal to the circuit board in the circuit board hole, withdrawing the ram to release the terminal from between the end of the ram and the lip, and moving the terminal past the lip and out of the passage.
 12. The method of claim 11 including the step of moving the terminal past the lip and out of the passage by forcing the terminal and circuit board away from the other end of the passage to move the terminal flange over the lip. 